ICYMI: Congresswoman Hageman Co-Leads the Commercial Motor Vehicle English Proficiency Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-WY) joined Congressman Dave Taylor (R-OH) and Congressman Greg Steube (R-FL) in introducing the Commercial Motor Vehicle English Proficiency Act, legislation that strengthens federal safety standards for commercial driver licensing by requiring all components of the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) exam—both skills and knowledge—to be administered exclusively in English.

This measure serves as the House companion to S. 2114, led by Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), and John Barrasso (R-WY). The bill has additional support from Representatives Buddy Carter (GA-01), Tracey Mann (KS-01), Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), Mary Miller (IL-15), and Paul Gosar (AZ-09).

"Our bill ensures the CDL knowledge test is administered only in English, closing dangerous loopholes. When an individual operating a vehicle weighing up to 80,000 pounds cannot understand warnings like ‘Slow Down’ or ‘Accident Ahead,’ lives are put at risk. Improving road safety is a significant issue across Wyoming, where tragic accidents claim lives year after year. Our legislation is essential to protect the safety and security of every driver on our roads," said Congresswoman Hageman.

“It’s a no-brainer – if you want to drive an 80,000-pound vehicle on American roads, you should be able to read the road signs,” said Congressman Taylor. “Ohio families should be able to get in their cars without fear of being in a tragic collision at the hands of a driver of a heavy vehicle who can’t understand critical warning signs. This bill will ensure safety for everyone and prevent any more innocent American lives from being lost.”

Background:

Under current law, states may offer the CDL knowledge exam in multiple languages, a policy that has allowed individuals with limited English fluency to obtain a commercial license despite being unable to read warning signs, construction alerts, or emergency notifications.

Congresswoman Hageman joined Congressman Taylor in introducing H.R. 3608, Connor’s Law, on May 29, 2025, to codify President Trump’s Executive Order requiring CDL holders to maintain a basic proficiency in English in order to be licensed to drive on American roads. This bill would additionally place CDL holders who fail to adhere to English language proficiency requirements out of service.

The Commercial Motor Vehicle English Proficiency Act builds off Connor’s Law to not only require English proficiency for current CDL holders, but additionally throughout the entire process of obtaining a CDL to ensure future CDL holders can read and understand road signs. Driver and passenger safety is the highest priority when it comes to American roads, and this bill is a strong second step toward making our nation’s roads safe for everyone.

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